The  L*te  2>aeL  O^rweed 
(latin  AH* 

fc&zruen  torrtt  tub  UJ/ll 

Gr£sJ  tjqn it-Tori 

Ate*/  Yo(tK 


iEx  ICtbrts 


SEYMOUR  DURST 


When  you  leave,  please  leave  this  book 

Because  it  has  been  said 
"Ever  thing  comes  t'  him  who  waits 

Except  a  loaned  book." 


Avery  Architectural  and  Fink  Ar  rs  Library 
(hi  i  oi  Si  ymoi  r  B.  l)i  km  Old  York  Library 


PARTICULARS 

OF 

THE  LATE  DUEL, 

FOUGHT  AT  HOBOKEN,  JULY  11, 

BETWEEN 

AARON  BURR 

AND 

ALEXANDER  HAMILTON,  Esqrs.  . 

IN  WHICH 

THE  LATTER  UNFORTUNATELY  FELL. 

CONTAINING 

ALL  THE  PAPERS  RELATING  TO  THAT  EVENT, 

TOGETHER  WITH 

THE  WILL  OF  GEN.  HAMILTON, 

AND 

THE  LETTERS  OF  BISHOP  MOORE,  AND 
THE  REV.  J.  M.  MASON. 


Thus  sinks  his  Country's  glory  in  the  tomb. 


NEW-YORK: 

PRINTED  BY  A.  FORMAN, 

9  l,Beekman  -street. 


1804. 


Co  fye  jpubltc. 


The  shocking  catastrophe  which  has  recently  oc- 
curred, terminating  the  life  of  Alexander  Hamil- 
ton, and  which  has  spread  a  gloom  over  our  City 
that  will  not  be  speedily  dissipated,  demands  that 
the  circumstances  which  led  to  it,  or  were  intimately 
connected  with  it,  should  not  be  concealed  from 
the  world.  When  they  shall  be  truly  and  fairly  dis- 
closed, however  some  may  question  the  soundness 
of  his  judgment  on  this  occasion,  all  must  be  ready 
to  do  justice  to  the  purity  of  his  views,  and  the  no- 
bleness of  his  nature. 

The  following  is  the  correspondence  that  passed 
between  General  Hamilton  and  Colonel  Burr,  to- 
gether with  an  explanation  of  the  conduct,  motives 
and  views  of  General  Hamilton,  written  with  his 
own  hand,  the  evening  before  the  meeting  took 
place,  and  only  to  have  been  seen  in  the  deplorable 
event  that  followed.  [Ev.  Post, 

NO.  l. 

Nezv-York,  June  18,  1804. 

SIR, 

I  send  for  your  perusal  a  letter  signed  Charles  D. 
Cooper/  which,  though  apparently-published  some 
time  ago,  has  but  very  recently  come  to  my  know- 
ledge.   Mr.  Van  Ness,  who  does  me  the  favour  to 

*  C.  D.  Cooper  wrote  a  letter,  dated  Albany,  12th  April, 
1804,  to  A.  Brown,  Esq.  Bern,  in  which  he  states  that  Gen. 
Hamilton  and  Judge  Kent  were  decidedly  opposed  to  the  elec- 
tion of  Mr.  Burr  as  Governor.  Gen.  Schuyler  having  seen  the 
letter,  wrote  to  S.  Stringer,  Chairman  of  the  Albany  Federal 
Republican  Committee,  contradicting  the  assertions  of  Mr. 
Cooper.  This  drew  from  Mr.  Cooper  a  letter,  dated  April  23d, 
and  addressed  to  Gen.  Schuyler,  containing  the  expressions 
quoted  in  Gen.  Hamilton's  first  letter. 


4 


deliver  this,  will  point  out  to  you  that  clause  to 
which  I  particularly  request  your  attention. 

You  must  perceive,  Sir,  the  necessity  of  a  prompt 
and  unqualified  acknowledgment  or  denial  of  the 
use  of  any  expression  which  would  warrant  the  as- 
sertions of  Dr.  Cooper. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be, 
Your  obedient  ser't. 

A.  BURR. 

General  Hamilton, 

NO.  2. 

New-York,  June  20th,  1804. 

SIR, 

I  have  maturely  reflected  on  the  subject  of  your 
letter  of  the  18th  inst.  and  the  more  I  reflected,  the 
more  I  have  become  convinced  that  I  could  not, 
without  manifest  impropriety,  make  the  avowal  or 
disavowal  which  you  seem  to  think  necessary.  The 
clause  pointed  out  by  Mr.  Van  Ness  is  in  these 
terms,  "  I  could  detail  to  you  a  stillmore  despicable 
opinion  which  Hamilton  has  expressed  of  Mr .  Burr." 
To  endeavour  to  discover  the  meaning  of  this  de- 
claration, I  was  obliged  to  seek  in  the  antecedent 
part  of  this  letter  for  the  opinion  to  which  it  refer- 
red, as  having  been  already  disclosed:  I  found  it  in 
these  words,  "  General  Hamilton,  and  Judge  Kent, 
have  declared  in  substance,  that  they  looked  upon 
Mr.  Burr  to  be  a  dangerous  man  and  one  who  ought 
not  to  be  trusted  with  the  reins  of  government." 

The  language  of  Dr.  Cooper  plainly  implies,  that 
he  considered  this  opinion  of  you,  which  he  attri- 
butes to  me,  as  a  despicable  one,  but  he  affirms  that 
I  expressed  some  other,  still  more  despicable.... with- 
out, however,  mentioning  to  whom,  when,  or  where. 
'Tis  evident  that  the  phrase  "  still  more  despicable" 
admits  of  infinite  shades,  from  very  light  to  very 


5 


dark.  Mow  am  I  to  judge  of  the  degree  intended? 
or  how  shall  I  annex  any  precise  idea  to  language 
so  indefinite  ? 

Between  gentlemen,  despicable  and  more  despica- 
ble, are  not  worth  the  pains  of  distinction:  when, 
therefore,  you  do  not  interrogate  me  as  to  the  opin- 
ion which  is  specifically  ascribed  to  me,  I  must  con- 
clude, that  you  view  it  as  within  the  limits  to  which 
the  animadversions  of  political  opponents  upon  each 
other  may  justifiably  extend,  and  consequently  as 
not  warranting  the  idea  of  it  which  Doctor  Cooper 
appears  to  entertain.  If  so,  what  precise  inference 
could  you  draw,  as  a  guide  for  your  conduct,  were 
I  to  acknowledge  that  I  had  expressed  an  opinion 
of  you  more  despicable  than  the  one  which  is  par- 
ticularized? How  could  you  be  sure  that  even  this 
"opinion  had  exceeded  the  bounds  which  you  would 
yourself  deem  admissible  between  political  oppo- 
nents? 

But  I  forbear  further  comment  on  the  embarrass- 
ment, to  which  the  requisition  you  have  made  na- 
turally leads.  The  occasion  forbids  a  more  ample 
illustration,  though  nothing  would  be  more  easy 
than  to  pursue  it. 

Repeating  that  I  cannot  reconcile  it  with  pro- 
priety to  make  the  acknowledgment  or  denial  you 
desire,  I  will  add  that  I  deem  it  inadmissible,  on 
principle,  to  consent  to  be  interrogated  as  to  the 
justness  of  the  inferences  which  may  be  drawn  by 
others  from  whatever  I  may  have  said  of  a  political 
opponent  in  the  course  of  a  fifteen  years  competi- 
tion. Jf  there  were  no  other  objection  to  it,  this  is 
i  sufficient,  that  it  would  tend  to  expose  my  since- 
rity and  delicacy  to  injurious  imputations  from  ev- 
ery person  who  may  at  any  time  have  conceived  the 
import  of  my  expressions,  differently  from  what  I 
may  then  have  intended  or  may  afterw  ards  recollect. 
I  stand  ready  to  avow  or  disavow  promptly  and 


0' 


explicitly  any  precise  or  definite  opinion  which  I 
may  be  charged  with  having  declared  of  any  gentle- 
man. More  than  this  cannot  fitly  be  expected  from 
me;  and  especially  it  cannot  be  reasonably  expect- 
ed that  I  shall  enter  into  an  explanation  upon  a 
basis  so  vague  as  that  which  you  have  adopted.  I 
trust  on  more  reflection  you  will  see  the  matter  in 
the  same  light  with  me.  If  not,  I  can  only  regret 
the  circumstance,  and  must  abide  the  consequen- 
ces. 

The  publication  of  Doctor  Cooper  was  never  seen 
by  me  till  after  the  receipt  of  your  letter. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  &c. 
Col.  Burr.  A.  HAMILTON. 

NO.  3. 
New-York,  2\st  June,  1804. 

SIR, 

Your  letter  of  the  20th  inst.  has  been  this  day 
received.  Having  considered  it  attentively,  I  regret 
to  find  in  it  nothing  of  that  sincerity  and  delicacy 
which  you  profess  to  value. 

Political  opposition  can  never  absolve  gentlemen 
from  the  necessity  of  a  rigid  adherence  to  the  laws 
of  honour,  and  the  rules  of  decorum.  I  neither 
claim  such  privilege  nor  indulge  it  in  others. 

The  common  sense  of  mankind  affixes  to  the  epi- 
thet adopted  by  Dr.  Cooper,  the  idea  of  dishonour. 
It  has  been  publicly  applied  to  me  under  the  sanc- 
tion of  your  name.  The  question  is  not,  whether 
he  has  understood  the  meaning  of  the  word,  or  has 
used  it  according  to  syntax,  and  with  grammatical 
accuracy;  but,  whether  you  have  authorized  this 
application,  either  directly  or  by  uttering  expres- 
sions or  opinions  derogatory  to  my  honour.  The 
time  "when"  is  in  your  own  knowledge,  but  no 
way  material  to  me,  as  the  calumny  has  now  first 


7 


been  disclosed,  so  as  to  become  the  subject  of  my 
notice,  and  as  the  effect  is  present  and  palpable. 

Your  letter  has  furnished  me  with  new  reasons 
for  requiring  a  definite  reply. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be, 

Sir,  your  obedient, 

A.  BURR. 

General  Hamilton. 

On  Saturday  the  22d  of  June,  General  Hamilton, 
for  the  first  time,  called  on  Mr.  P.  and  communi- 
cated to  him  the  preceding  correspondence.  He 
informed  him  that  in  a  conversation  with  Mr.  V.N. 
at  the  time  of  receiving  the  last  letter,  he  told  Mr. 
V.  N.  that  he  considered  that  letter  as  rude  and  of- 
fensive, and  that  it  was  not  possible  for  him  to  give 
it  any  other  answer  than  that  Mr.  Burr  must  take 
such  steps  as  he  might  think  proper.  He  said  far- 
ther,  that  Mr.  V.  N.  requested  him  to  take  time  to 
deliberate,  and  then  return  an  answer,  when  he 
might  possibly  entertain  a  different  opinion,  and 
that  he  would  call  on  him  to  receive  it.  That  his 
reply  to  Mr.  V.  N.  was,  that  he  did  not  perceive  it 
possible  for  him  to  give  any  other  answer  than  that 
he  had  mentioned,  unless  Mr.  Burr  would  take  back 
his  last  letter  and  write  one  whiclj.  would  admit  of 
a  different  reply.  He  then  gave  Mr.  P.  the  letter 
hereafter  mentioned  of  the  22d  of  June,  to  be  de- 
livered to  Mr.  V.  N.  when  he  should  call  on  Mr. 
P.  for  an  answer,  and  went  to  his  country  house. 

The  next  day  General  Hamilton  received,  while 
there,  the  following  letter : 

NO.  4. 

June  23,  1804. 

sm, 

In  the  afternoon  of  yesterday,  I  reported  to  Col. 
Burr  the  result  of  my  last  interview  with  you,  and 


8 


appointed  the  evening  to  receive  his  further  instruc- 
tions. Some  private  engagements,  however,  pre- 
vented me  from  calling  on  him  till  this  morning. — ■ 
On  my  return  to  the  city,  I  found,  upon  enquiry, 
both  at  your  office  and  house,  that  you  had  return- 
ed to  your  residence  in  the  country.  Lest  an  inter- 
view there  might  be  less  agreeable  to  you  than  else- 
where, I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  addressing  you 
this  note,  to  enquire  when  and  where  it  will  be 
most  convenient  to  you  to  receive  a  communication. 
Your  most  obt.  and  very  humble  serv't. 

W.  P.  VAN  NESS. 

General  Hamilton. 

Air.  P.  understood  from  General  Hamilton  that 
he  immediately  answered,  that  if  the  communica- 
tion was  pressing,  he  would  receive  it  at  his  country 
house  that  day,  if  not,  he  would  be  at  his  house  in 
town  the  next  morning  at  9  o'clock.  But  he  did 
not  give  Mr.  P.  any  copy  of  this  note. 

NO.  5. 

New-York,  June  22,  1804. 

SIR, 

Your  first  letter,  in  a  style  too  peremptory,  made 
a  demand,  in  my  opinion,  unprecedented  and  un- 
warrantable. My  answer,  pointing  out  the  embar- 
rassment, gave  you  an  opportunity  to  take  a  less  ex- 
ceptionable course.  You  have  not  chosen  to  do  it ; 
but  by  your  last  letter  received  this  day,  containing 
expressions  indecorous  and  improper,  you  have  in- 
creased the  difficulties  to  explanation  intrinsically 
incident  to  the  nature  of  your  application. 

If  by  a  "  definite  reply,"  you  mean  the  direct 
avowal  or  disavowal  required  in  your  first  letter,  I 
have  no  other  answer  to^give  than  that  which  hasal- 


9 


ready  been  given.  If  you  mean  any  thing  different, 
admitting  of  greater  latitude,  it  is  requisite  you 
should  explain. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  Sir, 

Your  obedient  servant, 
ALEX.  HAMILTON. 

Aaron  Burr,  Esq. 

This  letter,  although  dated  on  the  22cl  June,  re- 
mained in  Air.  P/s  possession  until  the  25th,  within 
which  period  he  had  several  conversations  with  Air. 
V.  N.  In  these  conversations  Air.  P.  endeavoured 
to  illustrate  and  enforce  the  propriety  of  the  ground 
General  Hamilton  had  taken.  Air.  P.  mentioned 
to  Mr.  V.  N.  as  the  result,  that  if  Col.  Burr  would 
write  a  letter,  requesting  to  know  in  substance  whe- 
ther in  the  conversation  to  which  Dr.  Cooper  allu- 
ded, any  particular  instance  of  dishonourable  con- 
duct was  imputed  to  Col.  Burr,  or  whether  there 
was  any  impeachment  of  his  private  character,  Gen. 
Hamilton  would  declare,  to  the  best  of  his  recol- 
lection, what  passed  in  that  conversation  :  and  Air. 
P.  read  to  Air.  V.  N.  a  paper  containing  the  sub- 
stance of  what  Gen.  Hamilton  would  say  on  this 
subject,  which  is  as  follows  : 

NO.  6. 

"  Gen.  Hamilton  says  he  cannot  imagine  to 
what  Dr.  Cooper  may  have  alluded,  unless  it  were 
to  a  conversation  atMr.Taylor's,in  Albany,  last  win- 
ter (at  which  Air.  Taylor,  he,  and  Gen.  Hamilton 
were  present.)  Gen.  Hamilton  cannot  recollect, 
distinctly,  the  particulars  of  that  conversation,  so 
as  to^  undertake  to  repeat  them,  without  running 
the  risk  of  varying,  or  omitting  what  might  be 
deemed  important  circumstances.  The  expressions 
are  entirely  forgotten,  and  the  specific  ideas  imper- 
fectly remembered  ;  but  to  the  best  of  his  recolleo 


10 


tion  it  consisted  of  comments  on  the  political  prin- 
ciples and  views  of  Col.  Burr,  and  the  results  that 
might  be  expected  from  them,  in  the  event  of  his 
election  as  Governor,  without  reference  to  any  par- 
ticular instance  of  past  conduct,  or  to  private  cha- 
racter." 

After  the  delivery  of  the  letter  of  the  22d,  as 
above  mentioned,  in  another  interview  with  Mr. 
V.  N.  he  desired  Mr.  P.  to  give  him,  in  writing,  the 
substance  of  what  he  had  proposed  on  the  part  of 
Gen.  Hamilton 3  which  Mr.  P.  did  in  the  words  fol- 
lowing : 

NO.  7. 

"  In  answer  to  a  letter  properly  adapted  to  ob- 
tain from  Gen.  Hamilton  a  declaration,  whether  he 
had  charged  Col.  Burr  with  any  particular  instance 
of  dishonourable  conduct,  or  had  impeached  his 
private  character,  either  in  the  conversation  alluded 
to  by  Dr.  Cooper,  or  in  any  other  particular  instance 
to  be  specified : 

He  would  be  able  to  answer,  consistently  with  his 
honour,  and  the  truth,  in  substance,  that  the  con- 
versation to  which  Dr.  Cooper  alluded,  turned 
wholly  upon  political  topics,  and  did  not  attribute 
to  Col.  Burr  any  instance  of  dishonourable  conduct, 
nor  relate  to  his  private  character.. ..and  in  relation 
to  any  other  language  or  conversation  of  Gen.  Ham- 
ilton which  Col.  Burr  will  specify,  a  prompt  and 
frank  avowal  or  denial  will  be  given." 

On  the  26th  June,  Mr.  P.  received  the  following 
letter. 

NO.  8. 

SIR, 

The  letter  which  you  yesterday  delivered  me,  and 
your  subsequent  communication,  in  Col.  Burr's 
opinion,  evince  no  disposition  on  the  part  of  Gen* 


11 


Hamilton  to  come  to  a  satisfactory  explanation. — 
The  injury  complained  of,  and  the  reparation  ex- 
pected, are  so  definitely  expressed  in  Col.  Burr's 
letter  of  the  21st.  instant,  that  there  is  not  perceiv- 
ed a  necessity  for  further  explanation  on  his  part. — 
The  difficulty  that  would  result  from  confining  the 
enquiry  to  any  particular  times  and  occasions,  must 
be  manifest.  The  denial  of  a  specified  conversa- 
tion only,  would  leave  strong  implications  that  on 
other  occasions  improper  language  had  been  used. 
When  and  where  injurious  opinions  and  expressions 
have  been  uttered  by  Gen.  Hamilton,  must  be  best 
known  to  him,  and  of  him  only  will  Col  Burr  en- 
quire. No  denial  or  declaration  will  be  satisfac- 
tory, unless  it  be  general,  so  as  wholly  to  exclude 
the  idea  that  rumours  derogatory  to  Col.  Burr's  ho- 
nour have  originated  with  Gen.  Hamilton,  or  have 
been  fairly  inferred  from  any  thing  he  has  said.  A 
definite  reply  to  a  requisition  of  this  nature  was  de- 
manded by  Col.  Burr's  letter  of  the  21st.  instant. — 
This  being  refused,  invites  the  alternative  alluded  to 
in  Gen.  Hamilton's  letter  of  the  20th. 

It  was  required  by  the  position  in  which  the  con- 
troversy was  placed  by  Gen.  Hamilton,  on  Friday 
last,  and  I  was  immediately  furnished  with  a  com- 
munication demanding  a  personal  interview.  The 
necessity  of  this  measure  has  not,  in  the  opinion  of 
Col.  Burr,  been  diminished  by  "the  General's  last 
letter,  or  any  communication  which  has  since  been 
received.  I  am  consequently  again  instructed  to 
deliver  you  a  message  as  soon  as  it  may  be  conve- 
nient for  you  to  receive  it.  I  beg,  therefore,  you 
will  be  so  good  as  to  inform  me  at  what  hour  I  can 
have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you. 

Your  most  obedient  and 

very  humble  servant, 
W.  P.  VAN  NESS. 

N.  Pendleton,  Esq. 
June  26th. 


12 


NO.  9. 

26th  June,  1804. 

SIR, 

I  have  communicated  the  letter  which  you  did 
me  the  honour  to  write  to  me  of  this  date  to  Gen. 
Hamilton.  The  expectations  now  disclosed  on  the 
part  of  Col.  Burr,  appear  to  him  to  have  greatly 
extended  the  original  ground  of  enquiry;  and,  in- 
stead of  presenting  a  particular  and  definite  case  for 
explanation,  seem  to  aim  at  nothing  less  than  an  in- 
quisition into  his  most  confidential  conversations, 
as  well  as  others,  through  the  whole  period  of  his 
acquaintance  with  Col.  Burr. 

While  he  was  prepared  to  meet  the  particular 
case  fairly  and  fully,  he  thinks  it  inadmissible  that 
he  should  be  expected  to  answer  at  large  as  to  every 
thing  that  he  may  possibly  have  said,  in  relation  to 
the  character  of  Col.  Burr,  at  any  time  or  upon  any 
occasion. 

Though  he  is  not  conscious  that  any  charges 
which  are  in  circulation  to  the  prejudice  of  Col. 
Burr  have  originated  with  him,  except  one  which 
may  have  been  so  considered,  and  which  has  long 
since  been  fully  explained  between  Col.  Burr  and 
himself — yet  he  cannot  consent  to  be  questioned, 
generally,  as  to  any  rumours  which  may  be  afloat 
derogatory  to  the  character  of  Col.  Burr,  without 
specification  to  the  several  rumours,  many  of  them 
probably  unknown  to  him.  He  does  not,  however, 
mean  to  authorize  any  conclusion  as  to  the  real  na- 
ture of  his  conduct  in  relation  to  Col.  Burr,  by  his 
declining  so  loose  and  vague  a  basis  of  explanation, 
and  he  disavows  an  unwillingness  to  come  to  a  satis- 
factory, provided  it  bean  honourable,  accommoda- 
tion. His  objection  is,  the  very  indefinite  ground 
whiqh  Co!.  Burr  has  assumed,  in  which  he  is  very 
sorry  to  be  able  to  discern  nothing  short  of  predeter- 
mined hostility.  Presuming,  therefore,  that  it  will  be 


13 


adhered  to,  he  has  instructed  me  to  receive  the  mes- 
sage which  you  have  it  in  charge  to  deliver.  For  this 
purpose  I  shall  be  at  home,  and  at  your  command, 
to-morrow  morning  from  eight  to  ten  o'clock. 
I  have  the  honour  to  be  respectfully 
Your  obedient  servant, 

NATHANIEL  PENDLETON. 
William  P.  Van  Ness,  Esq. 

NO.  10. 

SIR, 

The  letter  which  I  had  the  honour  to  receive  from 
you,  under  date  of  yesterday,  states,  among  other 
things,  that  in  Gen.  Hamilton's  opinion,  Col. Burr  has 
taken  a  very  indefinite  ground,  in  which  he  evinces 
nothing  short  of  predetermined  hostility,  and  that 
Gen.  Hamilton  thinks  it  inadmissible  that  the  en- 
quiry should  extend  to  his  confidential  as  well  as 
other  conversations.  To  this  Col.  Burr  can  only  re- 
ply, that  secret  whispers,  traducing  his  fame,  and 
impeaching  his  honour,  are  at  least,  equally  inju- 
rious with  slanders  publicly  uttered  :  that  Gen.  H. 
had,  at  no  time,  and  in  no  place,  a  right  to  use  any 
such  injurious  expressions  ;  and  that  the  particular 
negative  he  is  disposed  to  give,  with  the  reserva- 
tions he  wishes  to  make,  are  proofs  that  he  has  done 
the  injury  specified. 

Col.  Burr's  request  was,  in  the  first  instance,  pro- 
posed in  a  form  the  most  simple,  in  order  that  Gen. 
Hamilton  might  give  to  the  affair  that  course  to 
which  he  might  be  induced  by  his  temper  and  know- 
ledge of  facts.  Col.  Burr  trusted  with  confidence, 
that  from  the  frankness  of  a  soldier,  and  the  can- 
dour of  a  gentleman,  he  might  expect  an  ingenuous 
declaration.  That  if,  as  he  had  reason  to  believe, 
Gen.  H.  had  used  expressions  derogatory  to  his  ho- 
nour, he  would  have  had  the  magnanimity  to  retract 
them;  and  that  if,  from  his  language,  injurious  in- 


14 


Terences  had  been  improperly  drawn,  he  would  have 
perceived  the  propriety  of  correcting  errors,  which 
might  thus  have  been  widely  diffused.  With  these 
impressions,  Col.  Burr  was  greatly  surprized  at  re- 
ceiving a  letter  which  he  considered  as  evasive,  and 
which  in  a  manner  he  deemed  not  altogether  deco- 
rous. In  one  expectation,  however,  he  was  not 
wholly  deceived ;  for  the  close  of  Gen.  Hamilton's 
Jetter  contained  an  intimation  that  if  Col.  Burr  should 
dislike  his  refusal  to  acknowledge  or  deny,  he  was 
ready  to  meet  the  consequences.  This  Col.  Burr 
deemed  a  sort  of  defiance,  and  would  have  felt  jus- 
tified in  making  it  the  basis  of  an  immediate  mes- 
sage.  But  as  the  communication  contained  some- 
thing concerning  the  indefiniteness  of  the  request; 
as  he  believed  it  rather  the  offspring  of  false  pride 
than  of  reflection,  and  as  he  felt  the  utmost  reluc- 
tance to  proceed  to  extremities  while  any  other  hope 
remained,  his  request  was  repeated  in  terms  more 
explicit.  The  replies  and  propositions  on  the  part 
of  Gen.  Hamilton  have,  in  Col.  Burr's  opinion, 
been  constantly  in  substance  the  same. 

Col.  Burr  disavows  all  motives  of  predetermined 
hostility,  a  charge  by  which  he  thinks  insult  added 
to  injury.  He  feels  as  a  gentleman  should  feel  when 
his  honour  is  impeached  or  assailed,  and  without 
sensations  of  hostility  or  wishes  of  revenge,  he  is 
determined  to  vindicate  that  honour  at  such  hazard 
as  the  nature  of  the  case  demands. 

The  length  to  which  this  correspondence  has  ex- 
tended, only  tending  to  prove  that  the  satisfactory 
redress,  earnestly  desired,  cannot  be  obtained,  he 
deems  it  useless  to  offer  any  proposition  except  the 
simple  message  which  I  shall  now  have  the  honour 
to  deliver. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  with  great  respect, 
Your  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 
W.  P.  VAN  NESS. 

Wednesday  Morning,  June  21th,  1804. 


15 


With  this  letter  a  message  was  received,  such  as 
was  to  be  expected,  containing  an  invitation,  which 
was  accepted,  and  Mr.  P*  informed  Air.  V,  N.  he 
should  hear  from  him  the  next  day  as  to  farther  par- 
ticulars. 

This  letter  was  delivered  to  Gen.  Hamilton  on 
the  same  evening,  and  a  very  short  conversation  en- 
sued between  him  and  Mr.  P.  who  was  to  call  on 
him  early  the  next  morning  for  a  further  conference. 
When  he  did  so,  Gen.  Hamilton  said  he  had  not 
understood  whether  the  message  and  answer  were 
definitively  concluded,  or  whether  another  meeting 
was  to  take  place  for  that  purpose  between  Mr.  P. 
and  Mr.  V.  N.  Under  the  latter  impression,  and 
as  the  last  letter  contained  matter  that  naturally  led 
to  animadversion,  he  gave  Mr.  P.  a  paper  of  re- 
marks in  his  own  hand  writing,  to  be  communicated 
to  Mr.  V.  N.  if  the  state  of  the  affair  rendered  it 
proper. 

In  the  farther  interview  with  Mr.  V.  N.  that  day, 
after  explaining  the  causes  which  had  induced  Gen. 
Hamilton  to  suppose  that  the  state  of  the  affair  did 
not  render  it  improper,  he  offered  this  paper  to 
Mr.  V.  N.  but  he  declined  receiving  it,  alledging, 
that  he  considered  the  correspondence  as  closed  by 
the  acceptance  of  the  message  he  had  delivered. 

Mr.  P.  informed  Mr.  V.N.  of^the  inducements 
mentioned  by  Gen.  Hamilton  in  those  remarks,  for 
the  postponing  the  meeting  until  the  close  of  the 
Circuit ;  and  as  this  was  uncertain,  Mr.  P.  was  to 
let  him  know  when  it  would  be  convenient. 

On  Friday  the  6th  of  July,  the  Circuit  being 
closed,  Mr.  P.  gave  this  information,  and  that  Gen. 
Hamilton  would  be  ready  at  any  time  after  the  Sun- 
day following.  On  Monday  the  particulars  were 
arranged,  and  the  public  are  but  too  well  acquaint- 
ed with  the  sad  result. 

The  paper  above  alluded  to  is  as  follows : 


16 


NO.  11. 

Remarks  on  the  letter  of  June  27,  1804. 

Whether  the  observations  on  this  letter  are  de- 
signed merely  to  justify  the  result  which  is  indicated 
in  the  close  of  the  letter,  or  may  be  intended  to 
give  an  opening  for  rendering  any  thing  explicit 
which  may  have  been  deemed  vague  heretofore,  can 
only  be  judged  of  by  the  sequel.  At  any  rate,  it  ap- 
pears to  me  necessary  not  to  be  misunderstood.  Mr. 
Pendleton  is  therefore  authorized  to  say,  that,  in  the 
course  of  the  present  discussion,  written  or  verbal, 
there  has  been  no  intention  to  evade,  defy,  or  insult ; 
but  a  sincere  disposition  to  avoid  extremities,  if  it 
could  be  done  with  propriety.  With  this  view  Gen. 
Hamilton  has  been  ready  to  enter  into  a  frank  and 
free  explanation  on  any  and  every  object  of  a  speci- 
fic nature  ;  but  not  to  answer  a  general  abstract  en- 
quiry, embracing  a  period  too  long  for  any  accurate 
recollection,  and  exposing  him  to  unpleasant  criti- 
cisms from,  or  unpleasant  discussions  with,  any  and 
every  person,  who  may  have  understood  him  in  an 
unfavourable  sense.  This  (admitting  that  he  could 
answer  in  a  manner  the  most  satisfactory  to  Col. 
Burr)  he  should  deem  inadmissible,  in  principle  and 
precedent,  and  humiliating  in  practice.  To  this, 
therefore,  he  can  never  submit.  Frequent  allusion 
has  been  made  to  slanders  said  to  be  in  circulation. 
Whether  they  are  openly  or  in  whispers  they  have  a 
form  and  shape,  and  might  be  specified. 

If  the  alternative  alluded  to  in  the  close  of  the 
letter  is  definitively  tendered,  it  must  be  accepted  ; 
the  time,  place  and  manner  to  be  afterwards  regu- 
lated. I  should  not  think  it  right  in  the  midst  of  a 
Circuit  Court  to  withdraw  my  services  from  those 
who  may  have  confided  important  interests  to  me, 
and  expose  them  to  the  embarrassment  of  seeking 
other  counsel,  who  may  not  have  time  to  be  in- 
structed in  their  cause.    I  shall  also  want  a  little 


17 


time  to  make  some  arrangements  respecting  my  own 
affairs. 

The  following  paper,  in  the  hand-writing  of  Gen. 
Hamilton,  was  inclosed,  with  his  will  and  some 
other  papers,  in  a  packet  addressed  to  one  of  his 
executors,  which  was  of  course  not  to  have  been 
delivered  but  in  case  of  the  melancholy  event  that 
has  happened.  As  it  contains  his  motives  and  re- 
flections on  the  causes  that  have  led  to  this  fatal  ca- 
tastrophe, it  is  deemed  proper  to  communicate  it  to 
the  public. 

NO.  12. 

On  my  expected  interview  with  Col.  Burr,  I 
think  it  proper  to  make  some  remarks  explanatory 
of  my  conduct,  motives,  and  views. 

I  was  certainly  desirous  of  avoiding  this  inter- 
view, for  the  most  cogent  reasons. 

1.  My  religious  and  moral  principles  are  strongly 
opposed  to  the  practice  of  duelling,  and  it  would 
ever  give  me  pain  to  be  obliged  to  shed  the  blood  of 
a  fellow-creature  in  a  private  combat  forbidden  by 
the  laws. 

2.  My  wife  and  children  are  extremely  dear  to 
me,  and  my  life  of  the  utmost  importance  to  them, 
in  various  views. 

3.  I  feel  a  sense  of  obligation  towards  my  credit- 
ors; w7ho,  in  case  of  accident  to  me,  by  the  forced 
sale  of  my  property,  may  be  in  some  degree  suffer- 
ers. I  did  not  think  myself  at  liberty,  as  a  man  of 
probity,  lightly  to  expose  them  to  this  hazard. 

4.  I  am  conscious  of  no  ill-zvill  to  Col.  Burr,  dis- 
tinct from  political  opposition,  which,  as  I  trust, 
has  proceeded  from  pure  and  upright  motives. 

Lastly,  I  shall  hazard  much,  and  can  possibly 
gain  nothing  by  the  issue  of  the  interview. 

But  it  was,  as  I  conceive,  impossible  for  me  to 
avoid  it.    There  were  intrinsic  difficulties  in  the 

c 


18 


thing,  and  artificial  embarrassments,  from  the  man- 
ner of  proceeding,  on  the  part  of  Col.  Burr. 

Intrinsic,  because  it  is  not  to  be  denied,  that  my 
animadversions  on  the  political  principles,  charac- 
ter, and  views  of  Col.  Burr,  have  been  extremely 
severe,  and,  on  different  occasions,  I,  in  common 
with  many  others,  have  made  very  unfavourable 
criticisms  on  particular  instances  of  the  private  con- 
duct of  this  gentleman. 

In  proportion  as  these  impressions  were  entertain- 
ed with  sincerity,  and  uttered  with  motives,  and 
for  purposes,  which  might  appear  to  me  commend- 
able, would  be  the  difficulty  (until  they  could  be  re- 
moved by  evidence  of  their  being  erroneous)  of  ex- 
planation or  apology.  The  disavowal  required  of 
me  by  Col.  Burr,  in  a  general  and  indefinite  form, 
was  out  of  my  power,  if  it  had  really  been  proper 
for  me  to  submit  to  be  so  questioned ;  but  I  was 
sincerely  of  opinion,  that  this  could  not  be,  and 
in  this  opinion  I  was  confirmed  by  that  of  a  very 
moderate  and  judicious  friend  whom  I  consulted. 
Besides  that  Col.  Burr  appeared  to  me  to  assume, 
in  the  first  instance,  a  tone  unnecessarily  peremp- 
tory and  menacing,  and  in  the  second,  positively 
offensive.  Yet  I  wished,  as  far  as  might  be  practi- 
cable, to  leave  a  door  open  to  accommodation. — 
This,  1  think,  will  be  inferred,  from  the  written 
communications  made  by  me  and  by  my  direction, 
and  would  be  confirmed  by  the  conversations  be- 
tween Mr.  Van  Ness  and  myself,  which  arose  out 
of  the  subject. 

I  am  not  sure,  whether,  under  all  the  circum- 
stances, I  did  not  go  further  in  the  attempt  to  ac- 
commodate, than  a  punctilious  delicacy  will  justify, 
if  so,  I  hope  the  motives  I  have  stated  will  excuse  me. 

It  is  not  my  design,  by  wkat  I  have  said,  to  affix 
any  odium  on  Col.  Burr  in  this  case.  He  doubt- 
less has  heard  of  animadversions  of  mine,  which  bore 


19 


very  hard  upon  him  ;  and  it  is  probable  that  as  usual 
they  were  accompanied  with  some  falsehoods.  He 
may  have  supposed  himself  under  a  necessity  of  act- 
ing as  he  has  done.  I  hope  the  grounds  of  his  pro- 
ceeding have  been  such  as  ought  to  satisfy  his  own 
conscience. 

I  trust,  at  the  same  time,  that  the  world  will  do 
me  the  justice  to  believe,  that  I  have  not  censured 
him  on  light  grounds,  nor  from  unworthy  induce- 
ments. I  certainly  have  had  strong  reasons  for  what 
I  may  have  said,  though  it  is  possible  that  in  some 
particulars  I  may  have  been  influenced  by  miscon- 
struction or  misinformation.  It  is  also  my  ardent 
wish  that  I  may  have  been  more  mistaken  than  I 
think  I  have  been,  and  that  he,  by  his  future  con- 
duct, may  shew  himself  worthy  of  all  confidence 
and  esteem,  and  prove  an  ornament  and  blessing  to 
the  country. 

As  well  because  it  is  possible  that  I  may  have  in- 
jured Col.  Burr,  however  convinced  myself  that  my 
opinions  and  declarations  have  been  well  founded, 
as  from  my  general  principles  and  temper  in  rela- 
tion to  similar  affairs,  I  have  resolved,  if  our  inter- 
view is  conducted  in  the  usual  manner,  and  it  pleases 
God  to  give  me  the  opportunity,  to  reserve  and  throw 
azvay  my  first  fire,  and  I  have  thoughts  even  of  re- 
serving my  second  fire ;  and  thus  giving  a  double 
opportunity  to  Col.  Burr  to  paifse  and  to  reflect. 

It  is  not,  however,  my  intention  to  enter  into  any 
explanations  on  the  ground.  Apology,  from  prin- 
ciple I  hope,  rather  than  pride,  is  out  of  the  ques- 
tion. 

To  those,  who,  with  me,  abhorring  the  practice 
of  duelling,  may  think  that  I  ought,  on  no  account, 
to  have  added  to  the  number  of  bad  examples,  I 
answer  that  my  relative  situation,  as  well  in  public 
as  private,  enforcing  all  the  considerations  which 
constitute  what  men  of  the  world  denominate  ho- 


20 


nour,  imposed  on  me  (as  I  thought)  a  peculiar  ne- 
cessity not  to  decline  the  call.  The  ability  to  be  in 
future  useful,  whether  in  resisting  mischief  or  ef- 
fecting good,  in  those  crises  of  our  public  affairs, 
which  seem  likely  to  happen,  would  probably  be 
inseparable  from  a  conformity  to  public  prejudice 
in  this  particular.  A.  H. 

NO.  13. 

3fnterbteto, 

Col.  Burr  arrived  first  on  the  ground,  as  had 
been  previously  agreed;  when  General  Hamilton 
arrived  the  parties  exchanged  salutations,  and  the 
seconds  proceeded  to  make  their  arrangements. — ■ 
They  measured  the  distance,  ten  full  paces,  and 
cast  lots  for  the  choice  of  position,  as  also  to  deter- 
mine by  whom  the  word  should  be  given ;  both  of 
which  fell  to  the  second  of  General  Hamilton.- — 
They  then  proceeded  to  load  the  pistols  in  each 
others  presence,  after  which  the  parties  took  their 
stations.    The  gentleman  who  was  to  give  the 
word,  then  explained  to  the  parties  the  rules  which 
were  to  govern  them  in  firing,  which  were  as  fol- 
lows: "The  parties  being  placed  at  their  stations, 
the  second  who  gives  the  word  shall  ask  them  whe- 
ther they  are  ready;  being  answered  in  the  affirma- 
tive, he  shall  say  "present"  after  this  the  parties 
shall  present  and  fire  when  the)  please.    If  one  fires 
before  the  other,  the  opposite  second  shall  say  one, 
two,  three,  fire. ...and  he  shall  then  fire  or  lose  his 
flre.,,    He  then  asked  if  they  were  prepared  ;  being 
answered  in  the  affirmative,  he  gave  the  word  pre- 
\6vz/,ashad  been  agreed  on,  and  both  par  ties  took 
aim,  and  fired  in  succession;  the  intervening  time  is 
not  expressed,  as  the  seconds  do  not  precisely  agree  on 
thai  point.    The  fire  of  Col.  Burr  took  effect,  and 
Gen.  Hamilton  almost  instantly  fell.    Col.  Burr 
then  advanced  toward  Gen.  Hamilton,  with  a  man^ 


21 


ner  and  gesture  that  appeared  to  Gen.  Hamilton's 
friend  to  be  expressive  of  regret,  but  without  speak- 
ing turned  about  and  withdrew,  being  urged  from 
the  field  by  his  friend,  as  has  been  frequently  stated, 
with  a  view  to  prevent  his  being  recognized  by  the 
surgeon  and  bargemen;  who  were  then  approaching. 
No  further  communication  took  place  between  the 
principals,  and  the  barge  that  carried  Col.  Burr 
immediately  returned  to  the  City.  We  conceive  it 
proper  to  add,  that  the  conduct  of  the  parties  in  this 
interview,  wTas  perfectly  proper  as  suited  the  oc- 
casion. 

It  has  been  agreed  by  the  seconds,  that  the  above 
should  be  corrected  thus:  "  both  parties,  agreeably 
to  the  word  of  command,  presented,  instead  of 
took  aim." 

It  appears  that  the  following  document,  No.  7, 
was  brought  forward  by  Col.  Burr's  second,  and 
published  after  the  correspondence. 

At  nine  o'clock,  on  Monday,  the  25th.  inst.  I 
called  on  Gen.  Hamilton  at  his  house  in  Cedar- 
street,  to  present  the  letter  No.  4,  already  alluded 
to,  and  with  instructions  for  a  verbal  communica- 
tion, of  which  the  following  notes,  No.  7,  handed 
me  by  Mr  Burr,  were  to  be  the  basis.  The  sub- 
stance of  which,  though  in  terms  as  much  softened 
as  my  instructions  would  permit,  was  accordingly 
communicated  to  General  Hamilton. 

NO.  7. 

A.B.  far  from  conceiving  that  rivalship  authorizes 
a  latitude  not  otherwise  justifiable,  always  feels 
greater  delicacy  in  such  cases,  and  would  think  it 
meanness  to  speak  of  a  rival  but  in  terms  of  respect ; 
to  do  justice  to  his  merits;  to  be  silent  of  his  foibles. 
Such  has  invariably  been  his  conduct  towards  Jay, 
Adams,  and  Hamilton ;  the  only  three  who  can  be 
supposed  to  have  stood  in  that  relation  to  him. 


22 


That  he  has  too  much  reason  to  believe  that  in  re- 
gard of  Mr.  Hamilton,  there  has  been  no  recipro- 
city; for  several  years  his  name  has  been  lent  to  the 
support  of  base  slanders,  he  has  never  had  the  ge- 
nerosity, the  magnanimity,  or  the  candour  to  con- 
tradict or  disavow.  B.  forbears  to  particularize,  as 
it  could  only  tend  to  produce  new  irritations;  but, 
having  made  great  sacrifices  for  the  sake  of  harmo- 
ny, having  exercised  forbearance  till  it  approached 
to  humiliation,  he  has  seen  no  effect  produced  by 
such  conduct,  but  a  repetition  of  injury.  He  is 
obliged  to  conclude  that  there  is,  on  the  part  of  Mr. 
Hamilton,  a  settled  and  implacable  malevolence; 
that  he  will  never  cease  in  his  conduct  toward  Mr. 
B.  to  violate  those  courtesies  of  life,  and  that  hence 
he  has  no  alternative  but  to  announce  these  things 
to  the  world,  which,  consistently  with  Mr.  B's 
ideas  of  propriety,  can  be  done  in  no  way  but  that 
which  he  has  adopted.  He  is  incapable  of  revenge, 
still  less  is  he  capable  of  imitating  the  conduct  of 
Mr.  Hamilton,  by  committing  secret  depredations 
on  his  fame  and  character;  but  these  things  must 
have  an  end. 

The  Editor  of  the  E.  Post  makes  the  following  re- 
mark  upon  the  last  paper.  No.  7. 

"This  foisting  a  secret  and  till  now  an  unheard- 
of  paper  into  the  genuine  correspondence,  shews,  in. 
no  equivocal  manner,  that  the  writer  was  conscious 
that  the  correspondence  which  really  took  place, 
presents  a  case  no  way  favourable  to  his  principal." 

mm. 

In  the  name  of  God,  Amen.  I,  Alexander  Ham- 
ilton, of  the  City  of  New-York,  Counsellor  at  Law, 
do  make  this  my  last  will  and  testament  as  follows: 

First*  I  appoint  John  B.  Church,  Nicholas  Fish, 
and  Nathaniel  Pendleton  of  the  City  aforesaid,  Es- 


23 


quires,  to  be  Executors  and  Trustees  of  this  my 
Will,  and  I  devise  to  them,  their  heirs,  and  assigns, 
as  joint  tenants,  and  not  as  tenants  in  common,  all 
my  estate  real  and  personal,  whatsoever  and  where- 
soever, upon  trust  at  -their  discretion,  to  sell  and 
dispose  of  the  same,  at  such  time  and  times,  in  such 
manner,  and  upon  such  terms,  as  they,  the  Survi- 
vors and  Survivor,  shall  think  fit ;  and  out  of  the 
proceeds  to  pay  all  the  debts  which  I  shall  owe  at  the 
time  of  my  decease,  in  whole,  if  the  fund  shall  be 
sufficient ;  proportionably,  if  it  shall  be  insufficient ; 
and  the  residue,  if  any  there  shall  be,  to  pay  and 
deliver  to  my  excellent  and  dear  wife,  Elizabeth 
Hamilton. 

Though,  if  it  shall  please  God  to  spare  my  life,  I 
may  look  for  a  considerable  surplus  out  of  my  pre- 
sent property,  yet,  if  he  should  speedily  call  me  to 
the  eternal  world,  a  forced  sale,  as  is  usual,  may 
possibly  render  it  insufficient  to  satisfy  my  debts.  I 
pray  God  that  something  may  remain  lor  the  mainte- 
nance and  education  of  my  dear  wife  and  children. 
But  should  it,  on  the  contrary,  happen,  that  there 
is  not  enough  for  the  payment  of  my  debts,  I  en- 
treat my  dear  children,  if  they  or  any  of  them  shall 
ever  be  able,  to  make  up  the  deficiency.  I  with- 
out hesitation  commit  to  their  delicacy  a  wish  which 
is  dictated  by  my  own.  Though  Conscious  that  I 
have  too  far  sacrificed  the  interest  of  my  family  to 
public  avocations,  and  on  this  account  have  the  Jess 
claim  to  burthen  my  children,  yet,  I  trust  in  their 
magnanimity  to  appreciate  as  they  ought,  this  my 
request.  In  so  unfavourable  an  event  of  things, 
the  support  of  their  dear  mother,  with  the  most  re- 
spectful and  tender  attention,  is  a  duty  all  the  sa- 
credness  of  which  they  will  feel.  Probably  her  pat- 
rimonial resources  will  preserve  her  from  indigence. 
But  in  all  situations  they  are  charged  to  bear  in  mind 
that  she  has  been  to  them  the  most  devoted  and 
best  of  mothers. 


24 


In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  subscribed 
my  hand,  the  ninth  day  ofJidyy  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  four. 
ALEXANDER  HAMILTON. 
Signed,  sealed,  published,  and  declared  as  and 
for  his  last  will  and  testament,  in  our  pre- 
sence, who  have  subscribed  the  same  in  his 
presence,  the  words  ec  John  B.  Church" 
being  above  interlined. 

DOMINICK  F.  BLAKE, 
GRAHAM  BURRILL, 
THEO.  B.  VALLEAU. 

New-York,  Surrogate's'} 
Office,  July  6th,  1804.  ySS* 

I  do  hereby  certify  the  preceding  to  be  a  true  copy 
of  the  original  Will  of  Alexander  Hamilton,  de- 
ceased, now  on  file  in  my  office. 

SILVANUS  MILLER,  Surrogate. 

Bishop  Moore's  Letter  to  the  Editor  of  the  Even.  Post. 

Thursday  Evening,  Jidy  12,  1804. 

MR.  COLEMAN, 

The  public  mind  being  extremely  agitated  by  the 
melancholy  fate  of  that  great  man,  Alexander 
Hamilton,  I  have  thought  it  would  be  grateful  to 
my  fellow-citizens,  wTould  provide  against  misrepre- 
sentation, and,  perhaps,  be  conducive  to  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  cause  of  religion,  were  I  to  give 
a  narrative  of  some  facts  which  have  fallen  under 
my  own  observation,  during  the  time  which  elapsed 
between  the  fatal  duel  and  his  departure  out  of  this 
world. 

Yesterday  morning,  immediately  after  he  was 
brought  from  Hoboken  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Bayard, 
at  Greenwich,  a  message  was  sent  informing  me  of 
the  sad  event,  accompanied  by  a  request  from  Gen. 
Hamilton,  that  I  would  come  to  him  for  the  pur- 


25 


pose  of  administering  the  holy  communion.  I  went ; 
but  being  desirous  to  afford  time  for  serious  reflec- 
tion, and  conceiving  that  under  existing  circum- 
stances, it  would  be  right  and  proper  to  avoid  every 
appearance  of  precipitancy  in  performing  one  of  the 
most  solemn  offices  of  our  religion,  I  did  not  then 
comply  with  his  desire.  At  one  o'clock  I  was  again 
called  on  to  visit  him.  Upon  my  entering  the  room, 
and  approaching  his  bed,  with  the  utmost  calmness 
and  composure,  he  said, "  My  dear  Sir,  you  perceive 
my  unfortunate  situation,  and  no  doubt  have  been 
made  acquainted  with  the  circumstances  which  led 
to  it.  It  is  my  desire  to  receive  the  communion  at 
your  hands.  I  hope  you  will  not  conceive  there  is 
any  impropriety  in  my  request. "  He  added,  "It 
has  for  some  time  past  been  the  wish  of  my  heart, 
and  it  was  my  intention  to  take  an  early  opportuni- 
ty of  uniting  myself  to  the  church,  by  the  recep- 
tion of  that  holy  ordinance. "  I  observed  to  him, 
that  he  must  be  very  sensible  of  the  delicate  and 
trying  situation  in  which  I  was  then  placed :  that 
however  desirous  I  might  be  to  afford  consolation 
to  a  fellow  mortal  in  distress  ;  still,  it  was  my  duty, 
as  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  to  hold  up  the  law  of 
God  as  paramount  to  all  other  law  ;  and  that,  there- 
fore, under  the  influence  of  such  sentiments,  I  must 
unequivocally  condemn  the  practice  which  had 
brought  him  to  this  unhappy  condition.  He  ac- 
knowledged the  propriety  of  these  sentiments,  and 
declared  that  he  viewed  the  late  transaction  with 
sorrow  and  contrition.  I  then  asked  him,  "  Should 
it  please  God  to  restore  you  to  health,  Sir,  will  you 
never  be  again  engaged  in  a  similar  transaction? 
and  will  you  employ  all  your  influence  in  society  to 
discountenance  this  barbarous  custom  ?"  His  an- 
swer was,  "  That,  Sir,  is  my  deliberate  intention." 

St 


26 


I  proceeded  to  converse  with  him  on  the  subject 
of  his  receiving  the  communion  ;  and  told  him  that 
with  respect  to  the  qualifications  of  those  who  wish- 
ed to  become  partakers  of  that  holy  ordinance,  en- 
quiries could  not  be  made  in  language  more  ex- 
pressive than  that  which  was  used  by  our  Church. 
"  Do  you  sincerely  repent  of  your  past  sins  ?  Have 
you  a  lively  faith  in  God's  mercy  through  Christ,  with 
a  thankful  remembrance  of  the  death  of  Christ  ?  And 
are  you  disposed  to  live  in  love  and  charity  with  all 
men  ?"  He  lifted  up  his  hands  and  said,  "  With  the 
utmost  sincerity  of  heart  I  can  answer  those  ques- 
tions in  the  affirmative. ..I  have  mo  ill  will  against  Col. 
Burr.  I  met  him  with  a  fixed  resolution  to  do  him  no 
harm. ...I  forgive  all  that  happened.''  I  then  observ- 
ed to  him,  that  the  terrors  of  the  divine  law  were 
to  be  announced  to  the  obdurate  and  impenitent ; 
but  that  the  consolations  of  the  Gospel  were  to  be 
offered  to  the  humble  and  contrite  heart ;  that  I  had 
no  reason  to  doubt  his  sincerity,  and  would  proceed 
immediately  to  gratify  his  wishes.  The  Communion 
was  then  administered,  which  he  received  with  great 
devotion,  and  his  heart  afterwards  appeared  to  be 
perfectly  at  rest.    I  saw  him  again  this  morning, 
when,  with  his  last  faultering  words,  he  expressed  a 
strong  confidence  in  the  mercy  of  God  through  the 
intercession  of  the  Redeemer.  I  remained  with  him 
until  2  o'clock  this  afternoon,  when  death  closed  the 
awful  scene. ...he  expired  without  a  struggle,  and 
almost  without  a  groan. 

By  reflecting  on  this  melancholy  event,  let  the 
humble  believer  be  encouraged  ever  to  hold  fast  that 
precious  faith  which  is  the  only  source  of  true  con- 
solation in  the  last  extremity  of  nature.  Let  the  In- 
fidel be  persuaded  to  abandon  his  opposition  to  that 
Gospel  which  the  strong,  inquisitive,  and  compre- 
hensive mind  of  a  Hamilton  embraced,  in  his  last 


27 


moments,  as  the  truth  from  Heaven.  Let  those  who 
are  disposed  to  justify  the  practice  of  duelling,  be 
induced,  by  this  simple  narrative,  to  view  with  ab- 
horrence that  custom  which  has  occasioned  an  irre- 
parable loss  to  a  worthy  and  most  afflicted  family ; 
which  has  deprived  his  friends  of  a  beloved  com- 
panion, his  profession  of  one  of  its  brightest  orna- 
ments, and  his  country  of  a  great  statesman  and  a 
real  patriot. 

With  great  respect,  I  remain 
your  friend  and  servant, 
BENJAMIN  MOORE. 

Letter  of  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Mason,  to  the  Editor  of  the 
Commercial  Advertiser. 

New-York,  July  ISih,  1804. 

SIR, 

On  the  morning  of  the  11th  inst.  shortly  after 
the  rumour  of  General  Hamilton's  injury  had 
created  an  alarm  in  the  City,  a  note  from  Dr.  Post 
informed  me  that  "  he  wTas  extremely  ill  at  Mr.  Wm. 
Bayard's,  and  expressed  a  particular  desire  to  see 
me  as  soon  as  possible. "  I  went  immediately. — - 
The  exchange  of  melancholy  salutations,  on  enter- 
ing the  General's  apartment,  was  succeeded  by  a 
silence  which  he  broke  by  saying  that  he  "  had  been 
anxious  to  see  me,  and  have  the^sacrament  admin- 
istered to  him  ;  and  that  this  was  still  his  wish."  I 
replied,  that  M  it  gave  me  unutterable  pain  to  re- 
ceive from  him  any  request  to  which  I  could  not  ac- 
cede: that,  in  the  present  instance,  a  compliance 
was  incompatible  with  all  my  obligations;  as  it 
was  a  principle  in  our  churches  never  to  administer 
the  Lord's  Supper  privately  to  any  person  under  any 
circumstances."  He  urged  me  no  further.  I  then 
remarked  to  him,  that  "  the  holy  communion  is  an 
exhibition  and  pledge  of  the  mercies  w7hich  the  Son 


28 


of  God  has  purchased ;  that  the  absence  of  the  sign 
does  not  exclude  from  the  mercies  signified;  which 
were  accessible  to  him  by  faith  in  their  gracious  au- 
thor."   "  I  am  aware,"  said  he,  "  of  that.    It  is 
only  as  a  sign  that  1  wanted  it."    A  short  pause  en- 
sued.   I  resumed  the  discourse,  by  observing  that 
"  I  had  nothing  to  address  to  him  in  his  affliction, 
but  that  same  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God,  which  it  is 
my  office  to  preach  to  the  most  obscure  and  illiterate; 
that  in  the  sight  of  God  all  men  are  on  a  level,  as 
all  have  sinned,  and  come  short  of  his  glory ;  and  that 
they  must  apply  to  him  for  pardon  and  life,  as  sin- 
iiers,  whose  only  refuge  is  in  his  grace,  reigning  by 
righteousness  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  "    "  I 
perceive  it  to  be  so,"  said  he,  "I  am  a  sinner:  I 
look  to  his  mercy."    I  then  adverted  to  "  the  infi- 
nite merit  of  the  Redeemer,  as  the  propitiation  for 
sin,  the  sole  ground  of  our  acceptance  with  God  ; 
the  sole  channel  of  his  favour  to  us;  and  cited  the 
following  passages  of  scripture: — tc  There  is  no  other 
name  given  under  heaven  among  men,  w7hereby  we 
must  be  saved,  but  the  name  of  Jesus.    He  is  able 
to  save  them  to  the  uttermost  who  come  unto  God 
by  him,  seeing  he  ever  liveth  to  make  intercession 
for  them.    The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  cleanseth  from 
all  sin."    This  Idst  passage  introduced  the  affair  o 
the  duel,  on  which  I  reminded  the  General,  that  he 
was  not  to  be  instructed  as  to  its  moral  aspect,  that 
the  precious  blood  of  Christ  was  as  effectual  and  as 
necessary  to  wash  away  the  transgression  which 
had  involved  him  in  suffering,  as  any  other  trans- 
gression; and  that  he  must  there,  and  there  alone, 
seek  peace  tor  his  conscience,  and  a  hope  that  should 
not  make  him  ashamed.    He  assented,  with  strong 
emotion,  to  these  representations,  and  declared  his 
abhorrence  of  the  whole  transaction.    "It  was  al- 
ways," added  he,  "  against  my  principles.    I  used 
every  expedient  to  avoid  the  interview  ;  but  I  have 


29 


found,  for  some  time  past,  that  my  life  must  be  ex- 
posed to  that  man.  I  went  to  the  field  determined 
not  to  take  his  life."  He  repeated  his  disavowal  of 
all  intention  to  hurt  Mr.  Burr  ;  the  anguish  of  his 
mind  in  recollecting  what  had  passed ;  and  his  hum- 
ble hope  of  forgiveness  from  his  God.  I  recurred  to 
the  topic  of  the  divine  compassion  the  freedom  of 
pardon  in  the  Redeemer  Jesus  to  perishing  sinners. 
"That  grace,  my  dear  Genera],  which  brings  sal- 
vation, is  rich,  rich."  "Yes,"  interrupted  he,  "it 
is  rich  grace."  "  And  on  that  grace,"  continued  I, 
"  a  sinner  has  the  highest  encouragement  to  repose 
his  confidence,  because  it  is  tendered  to  him  upon 
the  surest  foundation;  the  scripture  testifying  that 
we  have  redemption  through  the  blood  of  Jesus, 
the  forgiveness  of  sins  according  to  the  riches  of  his 
grace."  Here  the  General,  letting  go  my  hand, 
which  he  had  held  from  the  moment  I  sat  down  at 
his  bed-side,  clasped  his  hands  together,  and,  look- 
ing up  towards  heaven,  said,  with  emphasis,  "I 
have  a  tender  reliance  on  the  mercy  of  the  Almighty 
through  the  merits  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ."  He 
replaced  his  hand  in  mine,  and  appearing  somewhat 
spent,  closed  his  eyes.  A  little  after,  he  fastened 
them  on  me,  and  I  proceeded.  "  The  simple  truths 
of  the  gospel,  my  dear  Sir,  which  require  no  ab- 
struse investigation,  but  faith  in  the  veracity  of  God, 
who  cannot  lie,  are  best  suited  t<r your  present  con- 
dition, and  they  are  full  of  consolation."  "  I  feel 
them  to  be  so,"  replied  he.  I  then  repeated  these 
texts  of  scripture: — It  is  a  faithful  saying,  and  wor- 
thy of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came  into  (lie 
world  to  save  sinners,  and  of  sinners  the  chief.  I, 
even  I,  am  he  that  blotteth  out  thy  transgression::  for 
my  own  sake,  and  I  will  not  remember  thy  sins.  Come 
now,  and  let  us  reason  together,  said  the  Lord : 
though  they  be  red  as  crimson,  I  hey  shall  be  aszcool. 


30 


•*  This,"  said  be,  tc  is  my  support.  Pray  for  me." 
"  Shall  I  pn.y  with  you  r"  "  Yes."  I  prayed  with 
him,  and  heard  him  whisper  as  I  went  along ;  which 
I  supposed  to  be  his  concurrence  with  the  petitions. 
At  the  conclusion  he  said  "Amen.    God  grant  it." 

Being  about  to  part  with  him,  I  told  him  "I  had 
one  request  to  make."  He  asked  <c  what  it  was?" 
I  answered,  "  that  whatever  might  be  the  issue  of 
his  affliction,  he  would  give  his  testimony  against 
the  practice  of  duelling."  "  I  will,"  said  he.  "  I  have 
done  it.  If  that ,"  evidently  anticipating  the  event, 
"  if  that  be  the  issue,  you  will  find  it  in  writing.  If 
it  please  God  that  I  recover,  I  shall  do  it  in  a  man- 
ner which  will  effectually  put  me  out  of  its  reach  in 
future."  I  mentioned,  once  more,  the  importance 
of  renouncing  every  other  dependence  for  the  eter- 
nal world,  but  the  mercies  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus; 
with  a  particular  reference  to  the  catastrophe  of  the 
morning.  The  General  was  affected,  and  said,  "  Let 
us  not  pursue  the  subject  any  further;  it  agitates 
me."  He  laid  his  hands  upon  his  breast,  with  symp- 
toms of  uneasiness,  which  indicated  an  encreased 
difficulty  of  speaking.  I  then  took  my  leave.  He 
pressed  my  hand  affectionately,  and  desired  to  see 
me  again  at  a  proper  interval.  As  I  was  retiring, 
he  lifted  up  his  hands  in  the  attitude  of  prayer,  and 

said  feebly,  "  God  be  merciful  to  ."    His  voice 

sunk,  so  that  I  heard  not  the  rest  distinctly,  but  un- 
derstood him  to  quote  the  words  of  the  publican  in 
the  gospel,  and  to  end  the  sentence  with  "  me  a 
sinner." 

I  saw  him,  a  second  time,  on  the  morning  of 
Thursday;  but,  from  his  appearance  and  what  I 
had  heard,  supposing  that  he  could  not  speak  with- 
out severe  effort,  I  had  no  conversation  with  him. 
I  prayed,  for  a  moment,  at  his  bed-side,  in  com- 
pany with  his  overwhelmed  family  and  friends  ;  and 
for  the  rest,  was  one  of  the  mourning  spectators  of 


31 


his  composure  and  dignity  in  suffering.  His  mind 
remained  in  its  former  state  ;  and  he  viewed,  with 
calmness,  his  approaching  dissolution.  I  left  him 
between  twelve  and  one,  and  at  two,  as  the  public 
know,  he  breathed  his  last. 

I  am,  Sir. 

with  much  respect, 
your  obedient  serv't, 

J.  M.  MASON. 

The  seconds  do  not  agree  on  two  facts,  which 
are  deemed  of  some  importance.' — Mr.  P.  is  confi- 
dent that  Gen.  H.  did  not  fire  first,  and  that  he  did 
not  fire  at  all  at  Col.  Burr.  Mr.  V.  N.  is  of  a  con- 
trary opinion.  Mr.  P.  therefore  thinks  it  his  duty 
to  state  the  reasons  which  have  produced  a  full  con- 
viction in  his  mind  that  he  could  not  have  been  mis- 
taken in  these  particulars. 

1st.  Besides  the  testimony  of  Bishop  Moore  and 
that  contained  in  a  paper  written  by  the  General's 
own  hand,  he  informed  Mr.  P.  at  least  ten  days  be- 
fore the  duel,  that  he  had  doubts  whether  he  would 
not  receive  and  not  return  Mr.  B's  first  fire.  Mr. 
P.  opposed  this  determination, both  then  and  after- 
wards ;  but  in  vain.  In  the  last  conversation  on 
the  subject,  he  said,  "  it  is  the  effect  of  a  religious 
scruple,  and  docs  not  admit  ot  reasoning." 

2d.  When  he  received  his  pistol  on  the  ground, 
he  was  asked  whether  he  would  have  the  hair  spring 
set?  His  answer  was,  "  not  this  time." 

3d.  After  recovering  the  power  of  speech,  his 
first  words  were  (addressing  himself  to  a  gentleman 
present,  who  perfectly  well  remembers  it)  "  Pen- 
dleton knows  I  did  not  mean  to  fire  at  Col.  Burr  the 
first  time.,, 

4th.  This  determination  had  been  communicated 
by  Mr.  P.  to  that  gentleman  that  morning,  before 
they  left  the  city. 


32 


5th.  Gen.  H«  seeing  one  of  the  boatmen  take  up 
the  pistol  he  had  used,  said,  "  take  care  of  that  pis- 
tol....it  is  cocked.  It  may  go  off'  and  do  mischief." — 
A  proof  that  he  fired  last,  but  was  not  sensible  of 
having  fired  at  all;  for,  if  he  had  fired first,  he  would 
have  remembered  it. 

6th.  The  course  of  Gen.  H's  ball,  which  was 
found,  after  diligent  search,  to  have  past  through 
the  limbs  of  a  cedar  tree,  at  an  elevation  of  about 
twelve  feet  and  a  half  perpendicularly  from  the 
ground,  between  thirteen  and  fourteen  feet  from 
the  mark  on  which  Gen.  H.  stood,  and  about  four 
feet  wide  of  the  direct  line  between  him  and  Col. 
Burr,  on  the  right  side,  he  having  fallen  on  the  left. 

VERDICT  OF  THE  JURY. 

Gen.  Hamilton  was  mortally  wounded  July 
11th,  a. id  died  on  the  12th. — A  Jury  of  Inquest  was 
called  onti.e  13th,  and  continued  sitting  from  time 
to  time  till  \ugust  2d.  when  their  verdict  was, 
MURDER,  ty  Aaron  Burr,  Vice  President  of 
the  Unite-  States,  principal ;  and  N.  P.  and 
Wt  P.  V.  N.  accessaries. 


FINIS, 


Mac 


